After a couple of postponements Pollok made a belated start to 2025 with a trip to Cumnock for match day eleven of the West of Scotland Premier Division, and there was to be a share of the spoils as Lee Duncanson’s early strike was cancelled out in the second half to ensure both teams left with a point.

A month after an agonising cup loss to East Kilbride, there were two changes to the starting line-up – O’Kane and Tran in for O’Donnell and Forde. Main started further forward in support of Docherty up front.

The home side were the first to threaten in the tenth minute when they got in behind down the right. The cross from the bye line was a bit too long and when it was played back into a good position Lapsley was able to intercept at the expense of a corner.

Pollok’s first incisive attack brought a more tangible reward. Bain passed it into Main in the middle of the park who turned and drove at the defence. He then slipped a pass inside former Lok man, Dykes, for Duncanson to run on to. He tried to place his shot into the far corner and Currie made a good save but the rebound came back to Duncanson who lashed the ball home.

Virtually straight from the restart Tran had the opportunity to run at the Cumnock rearguard. He got within range and let fly with his effort just off target.

A minute later Duncanson lost possession and McKenzie was able to cross. Forrester missed his attempted flick away and the ball was played back into the path of Orr who shot straight at Fry. Cumnock were focussing their attacks down the right and another couple of former Lok men – Buchanan, playing at fullback and McKenzie – combined but the striker sliced his effort wide.

At the other end good work by O’Kane in the final third allowed Tran to dig out a cross from the left which Lapsley glanced wide of the far post. Cumnock then fired a dangerous free kick just over the bar.

With 37 minutes on the clock, the Southsiders put together the best move of the first half. Duncanson and Docherty combined to allow Tran the chance to take on his man. He made space and crossed into O’Kane at the near post. He controlled it and then helped it on to the back post where Main was arriving in acres of space. His shot on the stretch went inches over.

As half-time approached the game became increasingly fractious and niggly and this tone continued into the second half as tempers threatened to boil over.

HALF-TIME: CUMNOCK JUNIORS 0 – 1 POLLOK

Pollok appeared happy to hold what they had without taking too many risks and kept their shape well. Fry had to deal with a couple of low shots from range and did so competently. McPhie came on and looked like he may well add a bit of attacking impetus but sadly it was to be a brief cameo appearance as he felt his hamstring and had to be replaced.

After Orr lobbed wide of Fry’s goal, Cumnock found their equaliser in the 74th minute. The impressive Chalmers had got in a good cutback and although Pollok got in a couple of good blocks the ball was never fully cleared and when it was passed to Jack on the edge of the box he had the time and space to pick his spot which he did with a superb curling effort into the far corner.

The final quarter of an hour saw the referee doing well to keep the simmering tensions just about under control as the number of yellow cards produced seemed likely to lead to a red.

Cumnock had one good chance to sneak the three points when McLuskey slipped the ball through to Jack but he poked it wide of Fry’s post after the keeper was out quickly to narrow the angle.

It had not been a classic with the home side having the better of possession and territory without creating too many more chances than the away side. So a point a piece to start 2025 and both sides will aspire to better things in the months ahead.

FULL-TIME: CUMNOCK JUNIORS 1 – 1 POLLOK

Report from Peter Thomson

Photographs from James Graham

Match highlights sponsored by Scottish Property Centre